In the early 80's, collecting activities of plant genetic resources of vegetable species began, which resulted in the establishment of the current Genebank of the Polytechnic University of Valencia. Over 15000 accessions of vegetable species are currently being preserved, including spanish local cultivars and wild species.

The rapid growth in staff and Research Interests of the initial group led to the need for establishing a center in which could be carried out, in a coordinated way, the goals of plant genetic resources conservation and improvement of horticultural species. Thus, the Institute for Conservation & Improvement of Valentian Agrodiversity (COMAV) was created at Polytechnic University of Valencia (COMAV). Governing Board approved on May the 27th, 1999.